Pacific Northwest earners have it good, and they don't mind sharing.

You can't escape nature here, even the big cities air punctuated by looming snowy peaks, the region offers endless outdoor opportunities camping, hiking, cycling, skiing and mountaineering.

Seattle, Portland and Vancouver are all rich and gourmet restaurants, and there's no shortage of urban entertainment and culture.

It's Seattle's biggest tourist attraction and with great reason.

Stuffed full of fun, funky shops, this old market has been selling a wide variety of wares, from produced two crafts to antiques and more for over 100 years.

It's a friendly as a small town and home to a mix of students, artists, cyclists, hipsters, young families, old hippies, eco freaks and everything in between a za big cities go.

It's hard to get more sophisticated, international or beautiful than Vancouver.

There's so much to do from visiting museums and art galleries to cycling and kayaking that will make your head spin.

And it's all framed by glorious mountains, forests and waterways.

So there's always beauty in the background.

Washington is the second largest wine producing US state, although it's fines are relatively young.

The terroir of Walla Walla is excellent.

Yes.

For something different.

Hop on a ferry to the San Juan Islands and go back in time.

Out of more than 450 islands, about 60 are inhabited.

What can you do here?

Start with cycling, kayaking and spotting orcas than just sit back and relax.

High season runs June through September.

Crowds and prices drop off in spring and October.

Travel costs in the Pacific Northwest can range from less than $100 a day if you enjoy an inexpensive hotel and food cards to over $200 a day for an upscale hotel and fine dining, getting around this region is much, much easier with the private vehicle.

And car rentals are affordable.

Busses, trains and ferries also have networks in the region.

Verdant forests cover every mountain.

Gorgeous, snowcapped volcanoes dot the cascades and the coastline is simply spectacular.

Big cities offer everything that any visitor could want, and you'll always have more than enough to appreciate in this highly creative part of the world.